Summer Meal Planning

08/07/2017

After several requests, here is a month of recipes for the warmer months!  We also have a Winter/Spring Meal Plan posted as well as a Bread Blog post.

I try to plan out 15-20 meals per month and then purchase the meat and dry ingredients the first Tuesday of the month. The first place I start is my freezer.  I do an inventory of what I have on hand – I actually write out a list.  Then, I check my pantry and go from there.  Here is August’s list of meals:

Meal 1 and 2 – Pan/Oven Beef Tenderloin Steaks (this is a family fave – everyone eats every last bite and we make it a few times a month)

I buy the long beef tenderloin roast from costco (around $145 to buy now – I quoted $90 on the last post, so it has gone way up in price) and then cut it into about 15+ steaks, which last 5 meals for us. The key to this one is buying a really nice cut of meat.  We like this better than BBQing our best cuts of beef and it is so easy and works every time.  A great entertaining recipe (as long as you really like the guests – this one is a bit pricey!) This is a great option for a date night in – save the money on a sitter and buy better meat! No link for this one: here is what I do:

• Buy the best steaks you can! Preheat oven to 400F
• season both sides with fresh cracked pepper & Montreal Spice or Keg Spice
• Add a few tablespoons of butter to a frying pan on medium-high heat
• Cook steaks on both sides for 4 minutes
• Remove from frying pan and put them into a oven safe dish
• Add 2 tbsp balsamic oil to pan and scrape off any bits of meat with 2 additional tbsp of butter
• Pour frying pan contents over steak and bake at 400 for 12 minutes.  VOILA!

We like to add Balsamic Brussel Sprouts or Roasted Parm & Garlic Cauliflower with homemade potato wedges and side salad.

Meal 3 – Cool Veggie Pizza *Vegetarian*

Meal 4 – Triple Terrific Caesar Chicken Fingers & Carrot Fries

Meal 5 – Cheesy Taco Casserole *Vegetarian*

Meal 6 – Taleggio Mac n Cheese with Sausage – if you can’t find Taleggio cheese, use Asiago & Mozza!

Meal 7 – Asian Salad with Chili Chicken

Meal 8 – Scalloped Potatoes & Balsamic Pork Tenderloin (add a size salad) This is the best scalloped potatoes recipe I have ever come across – all of the potatoes are yummy, not just the ones on top!

Meal 9 – Pork Satay & Coconut Rice (add a mandarin salad, or some sauteed peppers to the side)

Meal 10 – Ramen & Brocolli

Meal 11 – Foil Veggies & Grilled Chicken with your fave rice.  This is an awesome marinade! I put half on cut up veggies (peppers, zucchini, carrots, red onions) and then half on 4 chicken breasts and marinated for the day. Heat up the grill and put the veggies into a few packets and then the chicken right onto the grill.  This is a super flavorful marinade.  Tastes like chicken kabobs without the hassle!

2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 cloves crushed garlic
8 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp red wine vinegar 

Meal 12 – Zoodles & Turkey Meat Balls. You might need to buy something to make the Zucchini noodles/zoodles – we use a Salad Master’s food manual processor that makes short little curls of zucchini.  You could probably use a grater on the thickest side, or even a peeler.  The trick with zucchini (for zucchini sticks or anything) is they are really full of moisture, which you need to get out.  Put all of your zucchini into a collander.  Toss a few tbsps of salt over the zucchini.  Let sit for 30-60 minutes.  The salt will pull the extra moisture out that will make your meal soggy.  Rinse well to get all of the salt off.  Squeeze out with your hands while in the collander, and then squeeze out once one with some paper towels or a clean dish towel.  Next, add a tsp of oil into frying pan. Cook zoodles for 5 minutes or until heated through.  Top with the Turkey Meat Balls and your favorite tomato sauce.

Meal 13 – Crispy Parm Chicken with Ceasar Salad

Meal 14 – Cheddar Rosti with Earl Grey Salmon & your fave wild rice

I buy the large salmon fillet from Costco (skin removed) for about $39 and can make 4 meals out of it. Pour the marinade over the salon portions and freeze. It defrosts super fast and cooks up in about 35 minutes at 375F.  I triple this recipe for the big pack of salmon, otherwise, if you are buying enough salmon for one meal, this marinade should be enough.

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 garlic gloves, minced

cut open 3 Earl Grey tea bags and add to marinate & mix.

Meal 15 & 16 – Gourmet Mac & Cheese – kids love it, it has cottage cheese instead of meat and this recipe makes enough for 2 meals.  Freeze one for another busy night!

Meal 17 – Turkey Nachos in Bell Peppers with regular tacos/burritos for the kids

Meal 18 – BBQ Burgers with Guac & Chips

Meal 19 – 3 cheese chicken parm over whole wheat spagnetti or zoodles

Meal 20 – Cheeseburger Gnocchi – another kid favorite that is super easy and can be made ahead and frozen

Happy Meal Planning!

xo

Carol